Keep the Deer Away With a Viburnum Shrub
A Viburnum shrub features clusters of flowers in white, pink or ivory colors and produces single-seeded fruit. They usually bloom in early spring through late summer and have oval leaves, which tend to be smooth or serrated along the edges. Some viburnum shrubs have noticeable veining. During the fall, many of their leaves turn yellow or burgundy. Because of the way it smells and tastes, a viburnum shrub helps deter deer while attracting butterflies.
Reduce Cooling Costs Boxwood Shrubs
A Boxwood shrub stays green all year. They are extremely full and plush, making them ideal wind blockers, shade creators and heat absorbers. Their leaves are thick and glossy. Many have a brownish or bronze color during the winter and a more vibrant green appearance during the spring, when they bloom fragrant green or yellow flowers. These flowers appear in clusters, with a female in the middle and up to six surrounding males.
Add Curb Appeal With an Arborvitae Shrub
Arborvitae keeps its rich, dark green foliage all year, making it an excellent option for adding curb appeal. It has an upright, column-shaped form with a circular base and narrowing tip. This shrub keeps its color year-round thanks to its fan-like needles that have superior color retention. Male flowers on the shrub turn yellow and fall off during the spring. The female flowers turn into upright-standing yellow fruit. In addition to adding curb appeal, these shrubs give off a sweet-spicy fragrance.
Create Wildlife Habitats With an Elderberry Shrub
Elderberry shrubs bloom tiny white flowers each spring. About a month after they bloom, they create purple-black fruit. The fruit is usually less than a quarter inch in diameter and has anywhere from three to five seeds that look and feel like stones. Their blooms emerge as clusters resembling an umbrella; these clusters go by the name umbels. Each umbrel has five petals and gives off a sweet aroma. These plants can get up to 12 feet tall and span more than 10 feet wide. They provide natural habitats for a variety of wildlife, including bears, game birds, deer, squirrels and pollinators.